The fourth talk of the Friends of Weymouth Museum's autumn programme will be held on Monday, November 11.

Author Philip Kay-Bujak will tell the story of one of the assault vessels that sailed from Weymouth in June 1944.

He will talk about his new book which tells the story of the building of a ship in California, the coming together of the ship with her cargo of 1,400 men from Virginia and the Royal Navy crews that took them both into battle on Omaha beach in Normandy in the first waves of Operation Overlord on 6th June, 1944.

Philip has extensively researched both the ship and the back-stories of many of those who sailed on her that morning from Weymouth Harbour and offers a vivid account of what happened in those first few hours on Dog Green Beach – and the ultimate fates of the men and the ship.

The book also opens up a debate on the role played by the British built landing craft that were used on that part of the beach – craft designed for stealthy landings not mass attacks.

The training of the US troops along the south coast of England also explores some less exposed aspects of having 250,000 nervous and adrenalin-filled troops billeted all around the towns of villages of the southern counties.

The talk will be held in Hope United Reformed Church at 8 Trinity Street. Doors open at 2pm and the talk will start at 2.30pm.

Tickets will be available on the door and are £2 for members of the Friends and £3 for visitors. (Exact change would be appreciated, if possible).